Chapter Nineteen

Edward looked stunning, Bella thought. His dark suit complimented his green eyes perfectly, his bright orbs seeming to glow as he looked upon her as she stepped out of her house and took his proffered hand, allowing him to lead her to his car.

He gallantly opened the passenger door for her and guided her into the vehicle, his fingers twitching against hers as he hesitated over helping her with her seat belt or not, deciding swiftly against it.

Bella giggled softly at the look of indecision on Edward's face. Edward mused that he liked the sound very much as his eyes swept up quickly to meet hers and he smiled shyly down at her, releasing her hand, reluctantly.

He stepped around to the driver's side and quickly got in, strapping himself in his seat and flashing his eyes back toward Bella, unable to look away from her for long periods of time.

"You look beautiful…" "You look really good…" They both spoke together, easing the abnormal tension as they laughed in perfect synchronization.

Bella cleared her throat and averted her gaze; turning to face out of the window and watching the streets go by as Edward navigated his way to The Olive Garden.

"Why are you staying at the hotel if you have a house nearby?" Edward asked, causing Bella to jump slightly as his velvet voice broke the silence.

"Oh, well, um…" Bella really didn't want to answer him. Of all the questions Edward could have put to her, why did it have to be that one?

"Well… um…" Edward laughed, mimicking Bella's reply, playfully.

She sighed and kept her eyes focused on the passing neighborhoods.

"Sam offered me accommodation when I signed on for this." She waved her hand around as she spoke. "I didn't want to stay at the house any longer so I took him up on his offer. I was only living there through the audition process."

"Why didn't you want to stay there? It looked like an okay house to me. Nice area," Edward said with a swift shrug of his shoulders as he swung the Volvo into the parking lot, performing a perfect parallel park in one go.

"I just… didn't," Bella replied despondently as she moved to get out.

Edward knew a lost cause when he saw one.

"I won't push about it again," he said quietly, wondering what it was about that house which caused such a sadness to take up residence in her eyes.

"I'm selling it anyway." Bella adjusted her dress slightly and Edward's breath halted in his chest as he noticed how little there actually was to the materiel masquerading as evening attire. "Just as soon as I can," Bella continued.

Edward shook his head and tried to remain focused on the conversation, rather than the bare skin exposed at her back. He was tempted to ask why she wanted to sell, and he almost blurted out the question but he managed to stop himself just in time. It wouldn't have been prudent to renege on his promise not pry just minutes after having promised not to.

Instead, he took her hand, leading her around the front of the car, toward the front entrance of the restaurant where they were immediately blinded by the flashing bulbs of many photographers.

Bella's grip on Edward's hand tightened and he lowered his face to hers, mumbling quietly in her ear. "It's okay, I won't let them bother you."